Major milestone for Millbrook Resort’s new golf course and residential expansion

Media release from Millbrook Resort Queenstown’s award-winning Millbrook Resort is celebrating a major milestone — taking the next step towards developing a neighbouring farm into a new golf course interspersed with high-end residential homes. The development — with an estimated cost of $45m — has been three years in the planning. In 2014 the Overseas…

On October 18 the QLDC notified its approval of an extension to the existing Millbrook Resort Zone subject to appeals. The appeal period closed on 30 November with no third-party appeals believed to have been submitted.

Millbrook itself has appealed one narrow aspect of a solitary rule which is expected to be resolved quickly. Once resolved, the new ‘District Plan Chapter 43 – Millbrook’ will become operative.

The new development will add nine new golf holes to Millbrook’s current world-class 27-hole offering, meaning two full 18-hole courses will operate when it opens.

Site clearance is scheduled to start in early 2018, including a raft of ecological and landscape enhancements. Once the new golf course is constructed and ‘grown-in’ the aim is for it to be open for play over the summer of 2021/22.

Introducing a 36-hole format at Millbrook will be a ‘game changer’ for the resort in more ways than one. Millbrook Director of Golf Brian Spicer said the additional nine holes of golf on the farm land would effectively add 100% golf capacity.

“It will mean we have two fully operational 18-hole courses that can be played simultaneously for minimal additional maintenance costs” he said.

“It’s fantastic news because it will cater not only for our Millbrook Country Club members and locals, but for the significant growth opportunities for high-yielding golf tourism in New Zealand, particularly here in the Queenstown Lakes area.

“Our plan is to run one private members’ course and one public course, changing the holes played on a daily basis.

“That adds to the exclusivity of our golf club offering for our 480 family memberships, and alternating it will keep it interesting for members and be an incentive for visiting golfers to stay an additional night and play the other course.”

Millbrook Director of Property and Development Ben O’Malley said the re-zoning and notification process had been “extremely comprehensive” and the resort was delighted to have reached this milestone moment.

“We’ve worked very closely with the QLDC to reach this point in the planning process and they’ve been pragmatic enough to see the wider benefits of extending the Millbrook Resort Zone, for which we’re very grateful,” he said.

“Our membership base continues to grow with the continued success of our building programme within the existing Millbrook Zone and with the 42 homes that are planned for the new land.”

The news has also been welcomed by Golf Tourism New Zealand (GTNZ) Executive Director Ryan Brandeburg. GTNZ had been tasked with growing the value of inbound golf tourism from $145M to $223M by the end of 2016.

“I’m happy to report that we currently sit well in excess of $300M annually, and Queenstown has proven to be an incredible draw for international visitors,” said Ryan.

“The town captures a significant amount of the 32,000 international visitor rounds played across New Zealand’s marquee courses in 2016, and happily many of those visitors are lovers of wine too, which Queenstown’s pretty good at!”

Mr Brandeburg said the timing of the new course was “perfect”, with the quality seen across Millbrook’s existing 27-holes, The Hills golf course and other courses in the region meaning the destination was poised to be a drawcard for international golfers for years to come.

“However with competitor markets on the rise, such as the 25 golf courses under construction in Vietnam, we need to continue investing in our golf product to be competitive in the multi-billion dollar international golf tourism space.”

Mr O’Malley said the stunningly unique topography of the Dalgleish farm land provided a fantastic opportunity for the golf course designers, as well as lending itself to development of two geographically-separated residential neighbourhoods.

The large upper plateau contains 24 sites hidden from view from Malaghans Road and other public places while boasting elevated panoramic views over fairways and pastoral lands to the wider basin. The lower slopes are home to a further 18 sites with north-facing outlooks over an enhanced Mill Stream and the last of the stunning new golf holes.

The golf course layout is the brainchild of experienced golf course designers Greg Turner and Scott Macpherson who designed Millbrook’s new Coronet Nine in 2007/8. The new holes will combine with the Coronet Nine to make an 18-hole course.

The new holes make the most of the beautifully ice sculptured valleys and dramatically undulating land form which allows for what is believed to be the highest golf in the region, if not New Zealand.

Former NZ golf pro Greg Turner said much of the new nine would occupy “perhaps the most spectacular landscape at Millbrook.”

“With the combination of the Arrow and Coronet nines receiving such universal acclaim from the NZ Open field this year, to be able to extend the Coronet experience to a full 18 is an exciting prospect indeed,” he said.

Parts of Mill Stream will be widened to create larger waterways, and other areas will be retained as over 20 hectares of working farmland, featuring common grazing land and an historic woolshed that will be rebuilt and relocated to a paddock adjoining Malaghans Road.

The original 1860’s farmhouse will be retained with some sympathetic additions, and an existing visible irrigation pipe, part of the Arrow Irrigation Company network, will be relocated and buried underground. An irrigation reservoir and pumphouses will also be built on site.

Mr O’Malley said the new development would retain a rural, agrarian style thanks to the rustic open farm areas scattered around the course, including the high hillocks that form a natural western geographical ‘end point’ to the resort.

“As a local response to the geographical conditions, planting on the upper plateau will be limited to native species, and our design guidelines refined to reflect the location of these homes. The landscape and architecture on the lower slopes will be a continuation of the established Millbrook style of development.

“So for those living there or playing the course it will have its own unique look, style and feel, from rich bird and fish life in restored wetlands and deeply-incised rock walled valleys to the montane upper plateau where grazed hillocks transition into manicured fairways and carefully-designed residential areas.

“We can’t wait to start work on this and bring it to life after so many years in the planning.

“As one of the largest employers in the region this new development will ensure that Millbrook Resort continues to make a very significant contribution to the local and national economy.”

Picture caption:
1/ An aerial view of stunning Dalgleish Farm which Millbrook Resort will develop into a new golf course with residential homes

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Arrowtown husband-and-wife team cap successful year with national recognition

Media release from Bennie Builders A Queenstown house has been recognised as one of the best in the country, signing off a successful year for the local building firm. Up against stiff competition from 16 other builders across New Zealand, Arrowtown-based Bennie Builders was the only Southern Lakes company to pick up a national title…

On the night, judges described the home as an outstanding example of fine workmanship, bringing the architect’s creative vision and the owners’ dream to life.

The iconic house peers over downtown Queenstown, towards Lake Wakatipu and the mountains beyond, like a pair of stylish cedar-clad binoculars.

Having also won a Gold and Local Category Award at the Southern Region Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition in July, husband-and-wife team James and Mia Bennie said they were “delighted” to take the house to the next level.

“A national award like this is not only a proud moment for Mia and I, but also for all the other ‘hammers and hands’ involved in the build,” said James.

“It’s a real inspiration to all our staff and subcontractors to know we’ve produced a multi-award-winning project, giving our team real recognition for their skills and craftsmanship.”

Described as a “tough competition” by Mia, the prestigious House of the Year celebrates building excellence in New Zealand.

“It’s fantastic to be able to demonstrate that we can match the highest level of industry excellence, but also be judged ‘the best’ in New Zealand in our category,” she said.

“Being recognised by an industry leader like Master Builders shines light on our commitment to our eye for detail for any given project, no matter the size, site or budget.”

From one award-winning property, they’ve got their sights on the next.

The seven-year-old company is now working on a large luxury renovation project for owner of Madam Woo and Rata Restaurants Fleur Caulton and her family in Queenstown.

With no time to bask in the afterglow of their win, they are also working on a Jacks Point home and a Threepwood home in Ladies Mile.

Picture caption:

1/ Peering out over Lake Wakatipu like a pair of cedar-clad binoculars – the award-winning home from Bennie Builders of Arrowtown

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MAXRaft joins ‘exclusive club’ on 2017 Deloitte Fast 50

Media release from MAXRaft The company behind the only fully-insulated concrete slab in New Zealand is once again celebrating achieving outstanding growth within its business. Queenstown-based MAXRaft has joined an ‘exclusive club’ by featuring in the Deloitte Fast 50 index for an impressive third year in a row, ranking 33 in the 2017 index. The…

Having been in business for just four years, MAXRaft has a revenue growth of 224% for 2017 and employs 15 people. The company ranked 15 in the national index for 2016 with a growth rate of over 405%, and 33 in 2015 with growth of over 257%.

The company was named Fastest Growing Manufacturer for Dunedin and the lower South Island at the Deloitte Fast 50 regional awards in October, for the second year.

Stoked to be ranked amongst some of the New Zealand’s highest-growth companies, MAXRaft General Manager Henry Edney described the Festival of Fast Growth as “inspiring”.

“It’s hugely motivational to be able to network with such a diverse range of businesses and industry experts that are all achieving outstanding growth,” he said.

“To be ranked as one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing businesses for the third year is phenomenal.

“Our outstanding growth is a testament to our staff and their commitment to innovate and test new concepts and ideas to further improve our offering.

“Our company has achieved impressive year-on-year growth due to our niche product and our mission to help New Zealanders build better homes.

“We continue to implement strategic changes to our business plan to ensure we keep growing in a sustainable way. And with that growth, we’ll build on our teams of contractors and full-time onsite crews in each of our target markets across the country.”

For more information about MAXRaft go to www.maxraft.co.nz

You can see the full list of winners here.

Photo caption:

1/ A fully-insulated concrete slab by insulated foundations company MAXRaft, which ranked 33 in the 2017 Deloitte Fast 50 index

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Three-time Deloitte Fast 50 winner — MAXRaft recognised again for outstanding growth

Media release from MAXRaft Queenstown-based company MAXRaft is celebrating achieving outstanding growth for the third consecutive year. Recognised as one of New Zealand’s fastest growing companies by Deloitte, the award-winning company was named the Fastest Growing Manufacturer for Dunedin and the lower South Island at the recent Deloitte Fast 50 regional awards. This is the…

MAXRaft has an expected revenue growth of over 225% for 2017, making it a serious contender for the national Deloitte Fast 50 index for the third time in a row. National winners will be announced in Auckland on November 9 as part of the Deloitte Festival of Fast Growth.

The company ranked 15 in the national index for 2016 with a growth rate of over 405%, and 33 in 2015 with growth of over 257%.

MAXRaft designs and installs the only fully-insulated concrete foundation slab on the market, credited with creating warm, healthy and energy-efficient homes from the foundation up.

Delighted with the win, MAXRaft general manager Henry Edney said the award was testament to the company’s hardworking team.

“To be ranked as one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing businesses for the third year is exceptional,” he said. “And to be twice named Fastest Growing Manufacturer for the lower South Island is outstanding.

“We have to put this down to the fact that we’re noticing an industry shift as consumers continuously strive for innovative and good quality products.

“Innovation is key to economic growth and we’re changing the way people think about foundations through the manufacture of our fully insulated slab.

“Our company has achieved impressive year-on-year growth due to our point of difference and our mission to help New Zealanders build better homes.

“And with continued revenue growth, our teams of contractors across the country and full-time onsite crews in Central Otago continue to grow.”

Launched in 2013, MAXRaft’s revolutionary residential building slab system is being continuously improved to offer New Zealanders an affordable solution for warm, healthy and energy efficient homes – saving homeowners hundreds of dollars each year on heating and health bills.

Entrants for the 2017 Fast 50 are required to be in business for a minimum of three years, and have had a minimum operating revenue of $500,000 in FY15.

Queenstown’s Deloitte Director Dan Hellyer congratulated MAXRaft for its innovation in business.

“MAXRaft has joined an exclusive club by making the Deloitte Fast 50 index for the third year in a row, a real achievement considering how hard it is to make it onto the list in any one year,” he said.

“This recognises the strategy MAXRaft has employed to get their superior product across the country quickly and have a real presence in each of their major target markets.

“Growth companies are employing more people and contributing to economic growth in our regional and national economies.

“MAXRaft has been working hard to ensure it grows in a sustainable way and they’re constantly innovating and testing new concepts to further improve their offering. We hope to see this drive push them into the Fast 50 again in 2018.”

The Deloitte Festival of Fast Growth is a full-day event where Fast 50 companies will hear from inspirational speakers, network with other winners past and present, interact with industry experts and celebrate their success.

For more information about MAXRaft go to www.maxraft.co.nz

Photo caption:

1/ MAXRaft offers warm, healthy and energy efficient homes from the foundation up

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